WO2017065180A1

WO2017065180A1 - Information transmission apparatus and information transmission system

Info

Publication number: WO2017065180A1
Application number: PCT/JP2016/080268
Authority: WO
Inventors: 大地厚母; 渉前田
Original assignee: ナブテスコ株式会社
Priority date: 2015-10-13
Filing date: 2016-10-12
Publication date: 2017-04-20
Also published as: JPWO2017065180A1; JP6770967B2

Abstract

The present application discloses an information transmission apparatus for transmitting status information that expresses the state of a railroad vehicle. The information transmission apparatus is provided with: a storage unit for storing the status information; a communication unit for transmitting the status information to a slave communication apparatus for receiving a beacon signal indicating the presence of the information transmission apparatus in a master device mode in which the beacon signal is outputted, and transmitting the status information to a master communication apparatus provided separately from the information transmission apparatus in a slave device mode for receiving another beacon signal indicating the presence of the master communication apparatus outputted from the master communication apparatus; and a switching unit for switching the operating mode between the master device mode and the slave device mode.

Description

Information transmitting apparatus and information transmitting system

The present invention relates to a technique for transmitting state information representing the state of a railway vehicle.

The state of the railway vehicle is monitored using various sensors (see Patent Document 1). Information obtained from these sensors is stored in a memory element mounted on the railway vehicle. An operator who performs maintenance, maintenance, or other necessary work on the railway vehicle sometimes extracts information from the memory element and analyzes the cause of the abnormality occurring in the railway vehicle. Alternatively, the worker can use the information stored in the memory element to prevent the occurrence of an abnormality that may occur in the railway vehicle.

The worker may connect an information processing device (for example, a portable personal computer) to a board on which a memory element is mounted via a cable and take out state information indicating the state of the railway vehicle. However, a wired connection increases the labor of the operator. For example, an operator needs to open a protective cover that covers the connector, and then connect a cable terminal to the connector.

Patent Document 2 proposes to extract state information of a railway vehicle by wireless connection. According to Patent Literature 2, an operator can acquire state information without physically connecting an information processing apparatus to a substrate.

Workers wish to obtain railway vehicle status information under various communication environments. However, under the conventional technology, an operator can acquire state information of the railway vehicle only under a limited communication environment.

JP 2013-107417 A JP 2009-521902 A

An object of the present invention is to provide a technique that enables an operator to obtain state information of a railway vehicle under various communication environments.

The information transmission device according to one aspect of the present invention transmits state information representing the state of the railway vehicle. The information transmission device transmits the state information to a child communication device that receives the beacon signal in a storage unit that stores the state information and a base unit mode in which a beacon signal indicating the presence of the information transmission device is output. And in the slave mode that receives another beacon signal indicating the presence of the parent communication device output from the parent communication device provided differently from the information transmission device, the state is sent to the parent communication device. A communication unit that transmits information; and a switching unit that switches an operation mode between the parent device mode and the child device mode.

The above-described technology enables an operator to obtain state information of a railway vehicle under various communication environments.

The objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description and the accompanying drawings.

It is a schematic block diagram of the information transmitter of 1st Embodiment. It is a schematic block diagram of the information transmitter of 2nd Embodiment. 3 is a schematic timing chart showing an exemplary operation of the information transmission apparatus shown in FIG. 2. It is a schematic block diagram of the information transmitter of 3rd Embodiment. 5 is a schematic flowchart showing an exemplary operation of the information transmission apparatus shown in FIG. 4. It is a conceptual diagram of the main | base station mode of the information transmitter shown by FIG. It is a conceptual diagram of the subunit | mobile_unit mode of the information transmitter shown by FIG. It is a schematic block diagram of the information transmission system of 4th Embodiment. 9 is a schematic timing chart showing an exemplary operation of the information transmission system shown in FIG. 8. It is a schematic flowchart showing the exemplary operation | movement of the information transmitter of the information transmission system shown by FIG.

<First Embodiment>
The state information indicating the state of the railway vehicle is useful for troubleshooting for solving failures of various facilities mounted on the railway vehicle and for daily or periodic maintenance work on the railway vehicle. With respect to the prior art, an operator can acquire state information using communication between a parent machine mounted on a railway vehicle and a child machine operated by an operator who performs maintenance work. For example, when the parent device transmits a beacon signal indicating the presence of the parent device and then the child device receives the beacon signal, communication between the parent device and the child device is established. When the state information is transmitted from the parent device to the child device after the communication is established, the operator can check the state information.

The worker may desire to obtain status information representing the status of a plurality of railway vehicles at the depot to inspect and / or service the vehicle. In this case, the worker needs to establish communication between the parent machine and the child machine for each railway vehicle in order to know the state of each of the plurality of railway vehicles. Therefore, the worker must frequently perform work for establishing communication between the parent device and the child device.

If the slave unit is mounted on each of the plurality of railway vehicles, the worker is released from frequent communication establishment work. The state information is transmitted from a slave unit mounted on each of the plurality of railway vehicles to one master unit. The status information is then transmitted from the parent device to a terminal device (another child device) operated by the operator. As a result, the worker can know the state of each of the plurality of railway vehicles at once. An operator may wish to obtain the status of a particular rail vehicle that has stopped on the track. In this case, since the parent machine may not exist around the stop position of the railway vehicle, the worker cannot always acquire the state information. Therefore, the worker cannot easily obtain the state information under various communication environments under the conventional technology. The present inventors have developed a technique that makes it possible to easily acquire state information under various communication environments. In the first embodiment, an exemplary information transmission device that enables easy acquisition of state information under various communication environments is described.

FIG. 1 is a schematic block diagram of the information transmitting apparatus 100 according to the first embodiment. With reference to FIG. 1, the information transmission apparatus 100 is demonstrated.

The information transmitting apparatus 100 includes a storage unit 200, a switching unit 300, and a communication unit 400. The storage unit 200 stores state information that represents the state of a railway vehicle (not shown). For example, the state information includes the pressure of air used for opening and closing operations of a railcar brake device (not shown) and a railcar door, the temperature of a bearing (not shown) used for the railcar, Various other contents representing the state may be included. The principle of this embodiment is not limited to the specific content represented by the state information.

The state information may be acquired by a known monitoring technique used to grasp the state of various devices mounted on the railway vehicle. Data signals generated by various detection elements such as a pressure sensor and a temperature sensor may be stored in the storage unit 200. Therefore, the storage unit 200 may be a general memory element. The principle of the present embodiment is not limited to a specific technique for acquiring and holding state information.

The switching unit 300 switches the operation mode of the information transmitting apparatus 100 between the parent device mode and the child device mode. Communication unit 400 transmits a beacon signal under the parent mode. Communication unit 400 receives a beacon signal under the slave mode.

The switching unit 300 generates a beacon signal in the master mode. The beacon signal is output from the communication unit 400. If another communication device (not shown: hereinafter referred to as “child communication device”) designed to be able to communicate with the information transmission device 100 is within the reach of the beacon signal, the beacon signal is received. The child communication device generates a response signal that responds to the beacon signal. When the communication unit 400 receives a response signal from the child communication device, the switching unit 300 executes a process for establishing communication with the child communication device. Communication between the information transmission device 100 and the child communication device may be maintained until a request for canceling communication from the child communication device is received. The process for establishing communication with the child communication device may be based on the WiFi communication technology. The switching unit 300 may be a CPU (Central Processing Unit) that executes a signal generation program that generates a beacon signal or a communication program for establishing communication with a child communication device, or another arithmetic circuit.

After establishment of communication between the information transmission device 100 and the child communication device, the switching unit 300 reads state information from the storage unit 200. After that, the switching unit 300 transmits the state information through the communication unit 400 to the child communication device that has received the beacon signal.

While the switching unit 300 is setting the operation mode of the information transmitting device 100 to the slave mode, the communication unit 400 sends a beacon signal to another communication device (not shown: hereinafter referred to as “parent communication device”). The switching unit 300 executes various processes for establishing communication with the parent communication device. The process for establishing communication with the parent communication device may be based on the WiFi communication technology. The switching unit 300 may include a CPU that executes a communication program for establishing communication with the parent communication device and other arithmetic circuits. Another child communication device (not shown) that communicates with the parent communication device can also communicate with the information transmission device 100 through this parent communication device. Communication between the information transmission device 100 and the parent communication device may be maintained until the communication between the information transmission device 100 and the child communication device is canceled.

After establishment of communication between the information transmission device 100 and the parent communication device, the switching unit 300 reads state information from the storage unit 200. Thereafter, the switching unit 300 transmits the state information to the parent communication device that is the output source of the beacon signal through the communication unit 400.

The timing for switching the operation mode between the parent device mode and the child device mode may be determined based on various conditions. For example, the switching unit 300 may determine the operation mode switching timing with reference to the execution time of the parent device mode and / or the child device mode. Alternatively, the switching unit 300 may determine the operation mode switching timing with reference to information on the position of the railway vehicle on which the information transmitting apparatus 100 is mounted. Further alternatively, the switching unit 300 may determine the switching timing of the operation mode with reference to information on the speed of the railway vehicle on which the information transmission device 100 is mounted. Further alternatively, the switching unit 300 may switch the operation mode in response to a switching request from another device. The principle of the present embodiment is not limited to a specific trigger that causes switching of the operation mode between the parent device mode and the child device mode.

Second Embodiment
The information transmitting device may alternately switch between the parent device mode and the child device mode as time elapses. In the second embodiment, an exemplary information transmission apparatus is described.

FIG. 2 is a schematic block diagram of the information transmitting apparatus 100A of the second embodiment. With reference to FIG. 2, the information transmitting apparatus 100A will be described. The code | symbol used in common with 1st Embodiment represents the element same as 1st Embodiment. The description of the first embodiment is incorporated in these elements.

As in the first embodiment, the information transmitting apparatus 100A includes a storage unit 200 and a communication unit 400. The information transmitting apparatus 100A further includes a switching unit 300A and a timer 500. The timer 500 individually measures the elapsed time from the start time of the parent device mode and the elapsed time from the start time of the child device mode. The timer 500 may be a timing element different from the arithmetic element used as the switching unit 300A. Alternatively, the timer 500 may be a time measuring program executed by an arithmetic element used as the switching unit 300A. The principle of this embodiment is not limited to a specific device or a specific program used as the timer 500.

The switching unit 300A switches the operation mode of the information transmitting apparatus 100A between the parent device mode and the child device mode based on the elapsed time measured by the timer 500.

FIG. 3 is a schematic timing chart showing an exemplary operation of the information transmitting apparatus 100A. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, the operation of the information transmitting apparatus 100A will be further described.

Timer 500 increases the timer count from “0” as time elapses. When the timer count value becomes “T1 (> 0)” in the parent device mode, the timer 500 generates switching information indicating the switching timing. The switching information is output from the timer 500 to the switching unit 300A. Switching unit 300A switches the operation mode of information transmitting apparatus 100A from the parent device mode to the child device mode according to the switching information. The timer 500 resets the timer count and returns the timer count value to “0” simultaneously with the output of the switching information.

Timer 500 increases the timer count from “0” as time passes in the slave mode. When the timer count value becomes “T2 (> 0)” in the slave mode, the timer 500 generates switching information indicating the switching timing. The switching information is output from the timer 500 to the switching unit 300A. Switching unit 300A switches the operation mode of information transmitting apparatus 100A from the slave mode to the master mode according to the switching information. The timer 500 resets the timer count and returns the timer count value to “0” simultaneously with the output of the switching information.

The information transmitting apparatus 100A repeats the above-described operation, and can alternately switch the operation mode between the parent device mode and the child device mode with time. The set value “T1” that determines the length of the master mode may be equal to or different from the set value “T2” that determines the length of the slave mode. The set values “T1” and “T2” indicate the time required for the information transmitting apparatus 100A to establish communication with another communication apparatus (parent communication apparatus and / or child communication apparatus), and other communication of the information transmitting apparatus 100A. Appropriately determined in consideration of ability.

The designer who designs the information transmitting apparatus 100A may give a larger value to the setting value “T1” than the setting value “T2”. In this case, 100 A of information transmission apparatuses can communicate with the access point fixedly installed in the vehicle base in the subunit | mobile_unit mode. In addition, the information transmitting apparatus 100A can communicate with a terminal carried by the worker under the parent device mode.

Since the railway vehicle has been stopped for a long time at the vehicle base, even if the set value “T1” has a value larger than the set value “T2”, the information transmission device 100A and the access point There will be no major hindrance to communication between the two. On the other hand, since the set value “T2” is smaller than the set value “T1”, the operator who operates the terminal does not wait for a long period of time to switch the operation mode from the slave mode to the master mode, and receives the status information. Can be acquired. The worker can also perform an input operation on the terminal to establish communication between the information transmitting apparatus 100A and the terminal during the master mode.

<Third Embodiment>
The information transmission device may switch the operation mode between the parent device mode and the child device mode with reference to the position of the railway vehicle. In the third embodiment, an exemplary information transmission apparatus is described.

FIG. 4 is a schematic block diagram of the information transmitting apparatus 100B of the third embodiment. With reference to FIG. 4, the information transmission apparatus 100B will be described. The code | symbol used in common with 1st Embodiment represents the element same as 1st Embodiment. The description of the first embodiment is incorporated in these elements.

Generally, a position information generation device PIG that acquires first position information related to the position of a railway vehicle (not shown) is mounted on the railway vehicle. The position information generation device PIG is a circuit device having a function of a control device (so-called train centralized control device) for grasping the position of the rail vehicle to manage the operation of the rail vehicle and a GPS (Global Positioning System). Also good. For example, the position information generation device PIG may be a control device that performs various controls on the railway vehicle using the first position information. The principle of this embodiment is not limited to a specific facility used as the position information generation device PIG.

As in the first embodiment, the information transmission device 100B includes a communication unit 400. The information transmitting apparatus 100B further includes a storage unit 200B and a switching unit 300B. The first position information described above is output from the position information generation device PIG to the switching unit 300B.

As in the first embodiment, the storage unit 200B stores state information. Storage unit 200B stores, in addition to the state information, second position information regarding the position of an access point (not shown) that outputs a beacon signal. The access point may be located at a vehicle base (not shown) where the railway vehicle is inspected and / or repaired. In the present embodiment, the parent communication device is exemplified by an access point arranged in the vehicle base.

The switching unit 300B reads the second position information from the storage unit 200B. Thereafter, switching unit 300B compares the first position information with the second position information, and sets the operation mode to one of the parent device mode and the child device mode.

FIG. 5 is a schematic flowchart showing an exemplary operation of the information transmitting apparatus 100B. The operation of the information transmitting apparatus 100B will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Step S110)
The switching unit 300B receives the first position information from the position information generation device PIG. In addition, the switching unit 300B reads the second position information from the storage unit 200B. When the storage unit 200B acquires the first position information and the second position information, step S120 is executed.

(Step S120)
FIG. 5 represents the position of the railway vehicle represented by the first position information by the symbol “CP”. FIG. 5 represents the position of the access point represented by the second position information by the symbol “AP”. The switching unit 300B performs a difference calculation using the first position information and the second position information, and calculates the distance between the railway vehicle and the access point. If the calculated distance exceeds the distance threshold, step S130 is executed. If the calculated distance is less than or equal to the distance threshold, step S140 is executed.

(Step S130)
Switching unit 300B sets the operation mode of information transmitting apparatus 100B to the master mode. The switching unit 300B generates a beacon signal. The beacon signal is transmitted from the communication unit 400. The information transmission device 100B transmits state information to another communication device that has received the beacon signal.

(Step S140)
Switching unit 300B sets the operation mode of information transmitting apparatus 100B to the slave mode. When communication unit 400 receives a beacon signal from an access point, information transmitting apparatus 100B transmits state information to the access point.

FIG. 6 is a conceptual diagram of the master mode. The master mode is described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 6.

FIG. 6 shows three

transmission control circuits

101, 102, 103, three railway vehicles TC1, TC2, TC3, and a tablet terminal TTM. Each of the

transmission control circuits

101, 102, and 103 corresponds to the information transmission device 100B described with reference to FIG. The transmission control circuit 101 is mounted on the railway vehicle TC1, and stores state information indicating the state of the railway vehicle TC1. Similarly, the

transmission control circuits

102 and 103 are mounted on the railway vehicles TC2 and T3, respectively, and store state information indicating the states of the railway vehicles TC2 and T3.

The tablet terminal TTM is operated by a collector who collects state information. The tablet terminal TTM can receive a beacon signal from each of the

transmission control circuits

101, 102, and 103. The collector operates the tablet terminal TTM and selects one of the

transmission control circuits

101, 102, 103 as a communication target. When the collector selects the transmission control circuit 101 as a communication target, the state information indicating the state of the railway vehicle TC1 is transmitted from the transmission control circuit 101 to the tablet terminal TTM. When the collector selects the transmission control circuit 102 as a communication target, the state information indicating the state of the railway vehicle TC2 is transmitted from the transmission control circuit 102 to the tablet terminal TTM. When the collector selects the transmission control circuit 103 as a communication target, the state information indicating the state of the railway vehicle TC3 is transmitted from the transmission control circuit 103 to the tablet terminal TTM.

FIG. 7 is a conceptual diagram of the slave mode. The slave mode is described with reference to FIGS. 6 and 7.

As in FIG. 6, FIG. 7 shows the

transmission control circuits

101, 102, and 103 and the railway vehicles TC1, TC2, and TC3. The railway vehicles TC1, TC2, and TC3 are accommodated in the vehicle base.

FIG. 7 shows an access point ACP and a personal computer PSC. The access point ACP is installed in the vehicle base. The personal computer PSC is placed in the office.

The access point ACP outputs a beacon signal. The beacon signal is received by the

transmission control circuits

101, 102, 103 and the personal computer PSC. As a result, the access point ACP establishes communication with the

transmission control circuits

101, 102, 103 and the personal computer PSC.

When communication between the access point ACP and the transmission control circuit 101 is established, state information indicating the state of the railway vehicle TC1 is transmitted from the transmission control circuit 101 to the access point ACP. When communication between the access point ACP and the transmission control circuit 102 is established, the state information indicating the state of the railway vehicle TC2 is transmitted from the transmission control circuit 102 to the access point ACP. When communication between the access point ACP and the transmission control circuit 103 is established, the state information indicating the state of the railway vehicle TC3 is transmitted from the transmission control circuit 103 to the access point ACP.

The status information indicating the status of the railway vehicles TC1, TC2, TC3 is then sent to the personal computer PSC through the access point ACP. Therefore, the collector can collectively acquire the state information indicating the state of the railway vehicles TC1, TC2, and TC3 in the office.

<Fourth embodiment>
As described in relation to the third embodiment, if the information transmission device is mounted on each of the plurality of railway vehicles, state information indicating the state of each of the plurality of railway vehicles can be acquired. In the fourth embodiment, an information transmission system including a plurality of information transmission devices is described.

FIG. 8 is a schematic block diagram of an information transmission system 600 according to the fourth embodiment. The information transmission system 600 is described with reference to FIGS. 2, 4, 6, and 8. The code | symbol used in common with 3rd Embodiment represents the element same as 3rd Embodiment. The description of the third embodiment is incorporated in these elements.

The information transmission system 600 includes two

information transmission devices

110 and 120. The information transmitting apparatus 110 corresponds to one of the

transmission control circuits

101, 102, 103 described with reference to FIG. The information transmitting apparatus 120 corresponds to another one of the

transmission control circuits

101, 102, 103 described with reference to FIG.

The information transmission device 110 includes a storage unit 210, a switching unit 310, a communication unit 410, and a timer 510. The storage unit 210 corresponds to the storage unit 200B described with reference to FIG. The communication unit 410 corresponds to the communication unit 400 described with reference to FIG. The timer 510 corresponds to the timer 500 described with reference to FIG. The switching unit 310 receives the first position information from the position information generation device PIG described in relation to the third embodiment.

The information transmission device 120 includes a storage unit 220, a switching unit 320, a communication unit 420, and a timer 520. The storage unit 220 corresponds to the storage unit 200B described with reference to FIG. The communication unit 420 corresponds to the communication unit 400 described with reference to FIG. The timer 520 corresponds to the timer 500 described with reference to FIG. The switching unit 320 receives the first position information from the position information generation device PIG.

FIG. 9 is a schematic timing chart showing an exemplary operation of the information transmission system 600. The operation of the information transmission system 600 will be further described with reference to FIG.

Before communication between the information transmission system 600 and another communication device is established, the information transmission device 110 switches between the parent device mode and the child device mode according to the switching principle described in relation to the second embodiment. The operation mode is switched alternately. Similar to the information transmission device 110, the information transmission device 120 also alternately switches the operation mode between the parent device mode and the child device mode in accordance with the switching principle described in relation to the second embodiment. While the information transmission device 110 operates in the parent device mode, the information transmission device 120 operates in the child device mode. While the information transmission device 110 operates in the slave mode, the information transmission device 120 operates in the master mode.

FIG. 10 is a schematic flowchart showing an exemplary operation of the information transmission apparatus 110. The operation of the information transmission apparatus 110 will be described with reference to FIGS.

(Step S205)
Switching section 310 sets the operation mode of information transmitting apparatus 110 to the master mode. The switching unit 310 generates a beacon signal. The beacon signal is output from the communication unit 410. Thereafter, step S210 is executed.

(Step S210)
The timer 510 sets the timer count to “0”. Thereafter, step S215 is executed.

(Step S215)
Timer 510 increases the timer count. Thereafter, step S220 is executed.

(Step S220)
The switching unit 310 determines whether there is a communication device that has responded to the beacon signal. If there is a communication device that responds to the beacon signal, switching unit 310 performs a process for establishing communication with the communication device. If there is no communication device that responds to the beacon signal, step S225 is executed.

(Step S225)
The switching unit 310 refers to the timer count. If the value of the timer count exceeds “T1”, step S230 is executed. In other cases, step S220 is executed.

(Step S230)
Switching section 310 sets the operation mode of information transmitting apparatus 110 to the slave mode, and waits for a beacon signal from another communication apparatus. After the operation mode is set to the slave mode, step S235 is executed.

(Step S235)
The timer 510 sets the timer count to “0”. Thereafter, step S240 is executed.

(Step S240)
Timer 510 increases the timer count. Thereafter, step S245 is executed.

(Step S245)
The switching unit 310 determines whether a beacon signal is received from the communication device. If there is a communication device that has output a beacon signal, switching unit 310 performs processing for establishing communication with the communication device. If there is no communication device that has output the beacon signal, step S250 is executed.

(Step S250)
The switching unit 310 refers to the timer count. If the value of the timer count exceeds “T2”, step S255 is executed. In other cases, step S245 is executed.

(Step S255)
The switching unit 310 receives the first position information from the position information generation device PIG. In addition, the switching unit 310 reads the second position information from the storage unit 210. When the switching unit 310 acquires the first position information and the second position information, step S260 is executed.

(Step S260)
The switching unit 310 performs a difference calculation using the first position information (CP) that represents the position of the railway vehicle and the second position information (AP) that represents the position of the access point, so that the difference between the railway vehicle and the access point is obtained. Calculate the distance. If the calculated distance exceeds the distance threshold value, step S205 is executed. If the calculated distance is less than or equal to the distance threshold, step S265 is executed.

(Step S265)
Switching unit 310 generates a request signal for requesting to set the operation mode to the slave mode. The request signal is transmitted from the communication unit 410. The communication unit 420 of the information transmission device 120 receives the request signal transmitted from the communication unit 410 of the information transmission device 110. The switching unit 320 of the information transmission device 120 sets the operation mode to the slave mode according to the request signal.

While the information transmission apparatus 110 is executing the processing routine from step S205 to step S225, the information transmission apparatus 120 executes the processing from step S230 to step S265. While the information transmission apparatus 110 is executing the processing routine from step S230 to step S265, the information transmission apparatus 120 executes the processing routine from step S205 to step S225. As a result, the information transmission system 600 can operate under the switching pattern described with reference to FIG.

The control principle described in relation to the various embodiments described above can be applied to various information transmission apparatuses. Some of the various features described in connection with one of the various embodiments described above may be applied to the information transmitting apparatus described in connection with another embodiment.

The exemplary transmission techniques described in connection with the various embodiments described above primarily comprise the following features.

The information transmission device according to one aspect of the above-described embodiment transmits state information indicating the state of the railway vehicle. The information transmission device transmits the state information to a child communication device that receives the beacon signal in a storage unit that stores the state information and a base unit mode in which a beacon signal indicating the presence of the information transmission device is output. And in the slave mode that receives another beacon signal indicating the presence of the parent communication device output from the parent communication device provided differently from the information transmission device, the state is sent to the parent communication device. A communication unit that transmits information; and a switching unit that switches an operation mode between the parent device mode and the child device mode.

According to the above configuration, the information transmitting apparatus can switch the operation mode between the parent device mode and the child device mode. The information transmission device can transmit the state information to the child communication device that can receive the beacon signal under the parent device mode. The information transmission device can transmit the state information to the parent communication device that outputs a beacon signal in the slave mode. Therefore, the worker can acquire state information both in a communication environment using a child communication device that receives a beacon signal and in a communication environment using a parent communication device that outputs a beacon signal. A beacon signal is a signal transmitted from a wireless LAN (local area network) access point that transmits and receives data using wireless communication, and is used when received by a computer device equipped with a wireless LAN adapter. This is a clue for detecting a possible wireless LAN network.

With regard to the above configuration, when the communication unit starts communication with the child communication device in the parent device mode, the switching unit is configured to wait until communication between the communication unit and the child communication device is interrupted. The machine mode may be maintained. When the communication unit starts communication with the parent communication device in the child device mode, the switching unit maintains the child device mode until communication between the communication unit and the parent communication device is interrupted. May be.

According to the above configuration, in each of the parent device mode and the child device mode, the operator can quickly acquire the state information from the information transmission device by one communication.

Regarding the above configuration, the switching unit may alternately switch the operation mode between the parent device mode and the child device mode.

According to the above configuration, the switching unit alternately switches the operation mode between the parent device mode and the child device mode. Therefore, the information transmission device replaces the device existing in the state information transmission range with the child communication device and It can be selected from the parent communication device. The information transmission device operating in the parent device mode can establish communication with the child communication device existing in the state information transmission range and transmit the state information to the child communication device. The information transmission device operating in the slave mode can establish communication with the parent communication device existing in the state information transmission range and transmit the state information to the parent communication device.

Regarding the above configuration, the parent communication device may be fixedly installed. The child communication device may be a terminal carried by an operator. The period in which the operation mode is set to the parent device mode may be longer than the period in which the operation mode is set to the child device mode.

According to the above configuration, the information transmission device stays in the vicinity of the fixedly installed master communication device for a predetermined time or more, so that the operation mode is set to the slave device during the period when the operation mode is set to the master device mode. Even if it is longer than the period set in the mode, it is possible to appropriately transmit the state information to the parent communication device after waiting for switching to the slave mode. On the other hand, since the period in which the operation mode is set to the slave unit mode is shorter than the period in which the operation mode is set to the master unit mode, the worker can send the status information to the terminal (child Can be received quickly through a communication device).

Regarding the above configuration, the switching unit may switch the operation mode to one of the parent device mode and the child device mode with reference to first position information related to the position of the railway vehicle.

According to the above configuration, the switching unit refers to the first position information related to the position of the railway vehicle, and switches the operation mode to one of the parent machine mode and the child machine mode. The state information can be transmitted under an operation mode suitable for the surrounding environment.

Regarding the above configuration, the storage unit may store second position information related to a position of the parent communication device. When the distance between the position of the railway vehicle and the position of the parent communication device is equal to or less than a distance threshold, the switching unit may switch the operation mode to the slave mode.

Regarding the above configuration, when the parent communication device is in the state information transmission range, the information transmission device operates in the slave mode and can transmit the state information to the parent communication device.

An information transmission system according to another aspect of the above-described embodiment includes the above-described information transmission device and another information transmission device that transmits a state of another rail vehicle that forms a train together with the rail vehicle. And comprising. While the information transmission device operates in the master mode, the other information transmission device operates in the slave mode. While the information transmission device operates in the slave mode, the other information transmission device operates in the master mode. When one of the two information transmission devices receives the beacon signal output from the parent communication device in the slave mode, the one of the two information transmission devices transmits the two information transmissions. A request signal requesting to switch the operation mode to the slave mode is transmitted to the other device. The other operation mode of the two information transmission devices is switched to the slave mode according to the request signal.

According to the above configuration, one of the two information transmission devices operates in the slave mode. Therefore, one of the two information transmission devices can receive a beacon signal from the parent communication device. Thereafter, the other of the two information transmission devices switches the operation mode to the slave mode in response to a request signal from the information transmission device that has received the beacon signal from the parent communication device. It can communicate with the parent communication device.

The principle of the above-described embodiment is suitably used in various technical fields that require state information indicating the state of a railway vehicle.

Claims

An information transmission device that transmits state information representing a state of a railway vehicle,
A storage unit for storing the state information;
In a master mode in which a beacon signal indicating the presence of the information transmitting device is output, the status information is transmitted to a child communication device that receives the beacon signal, and a parent provided separately from the information transmitting device In a slave mode that receives another beacon signal indicating the presence of the parent communication device output from the communication device, a communication unit that transmits the state information to the parent communication device;
A switching unit that switches an operation mode between the parent device mode and the child device mode.
When the communication unit starts communication with the child communication device in the parent device mode, the switching unit maintains the parent device mode until communication between the communication unit and the child communication device is interrupted. ,
When the communication unit starts communication with the parent communication device in the child device mode, the switching unit maintains the child device mode until communication between the communication unit and the parent communication device is interrupted. The information transmission device according to claim 1.
The information transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit switches the operation mode alternately between the parent device mode and the child device mode as time elapses.
The information transmission device according to claim 3, wherein a period in which the operation mode is set to the parent device mode is longer than a period in which the operation mode is set to the child device mode.
The information transmission device according to claim 1, wherein the switching unit switches the operation mode to one of the parent device mode and the child device mode with reference to first position information related to the position of the railway vehicle.
The storage unit stores second position information related to a position of the parent communication device,
The switching unit refers to the second position information, compares the distance between the position of the railway vehicle and the position of the parent communication device with a distance threshold,
The information transmission device according to claim 5, wherein when the distance becomes equal to or less than a distance threshold, the switching unit switches the operation mode to the slave mode.
The information transmission device according to any one of claims 1 to 3,
Another information transmission device for transmitting the status of another railcar that forms a train together with the railcar, and
While the information transmission device is operating under the master mode, the other information transmission device is operating under the slave mode,
While the information transmission device operates under the slave mode, the other information transmission device operates under the master mode,
When one of the two information transmission devices receives the beacon signal output from the parent communication device in the slave mode, the one of the two information transmission devices transmits the two information transmissions. A request signal for requesting to switch the operation mode to the slave mode is sent to the other device.
The other operation mode of the two information transmission devices is switched to the slave mode according to the request signal.